Is This Repair Quote Fair? How to Check a Shop Estimate

From the shop side: most shops want you to understand your estimate. Here's how to read one and decide whether to approve it, get a second opinion, or do it yourself.

The parts of an estimate

• Labor: usually hours times the shop's posted rate. Ask what the hours are based on, and whether overlapping jobs (for example, a water pump done while the timing belt is off) are discounted.
• Parts: ask whether they're OEM, aftermarket, or remanufactured, and what the warranty covers.
• Diagnostic fee: it's normal. Ask whether it's applied to the repair.
• Shop supplies and disposal: these are common, but they should be listed.

Questions to ask

1. "What test confirmed this diagnosis?" A code alone isn't a diagnosis. See reading codes.
2. "Which items are urgent and which can wait?"
3. "Can I see the old parts?"
4. "What's the warranty on parts and labor?"
5. Ask for a written estimate. Many states require one and require your approval before work goes over it.

Compare against DIY

Use FixOrPay, our free estimator: enter the quote, the parts prices you find, and any tools you'd need to buy, and see your real savings. Then be honest about the risk. Brakes, steering, and airbags call for confidence and the right tools. Start with easier jobs like air filters or an oil change.

Red flags

• Pressure to approve right now, or vague line items
• Refusal to give a written estimate or return the old parts
• A long list of "urgent" fluid flushes that aren't in your owner's manual schedule